Considering that alcohol is everywhere in our society, casual drinking - or consuming a glass or two a few times a month - is very common. However, needing a drink to relax, wanting to drink to escape your thoughts and emotions, or using alcohol to “feel like yourself” are all problematic signs.

Alcoholism, also called “alcohol dependence,” is a chronic, progressive illness and affects more than 14 million Americans. It’s marked by a high tolerance for alcohol and physical dependence to it.

Some common symptoms of a developing dependence on alcohol include:

• Increasingly having to consume more alcohol to get the desired effect.

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, mood swings and tremors when you don’t drink.

• Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as stopping the shakes or “curing” a hangover.

• Recognizing the strong urge or craving for alcohol.

• Missing work regularly.

• Noticing that alcohol use has replaced activities you used to enjoy doing.

If you are concerned about the role alcohol plays in your everyday life, the U.S. Veteran’s Administration offers a free-to-all, and completely confidential, alcohol use screening tool called the AUDIT-C. In just three minutes, this brief survey provides a reliably accurate assessment of if and where your consumption falls on the alcohol disorder spectrum.

For more resources to address alcohol dependence, visit the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or reach out to your employee or member assistance program for support.